thehyunkel Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Hi, I'm considering buying an Helix LT. What's a good way to output it ? From what I've read, I'd say active speakers. Is that right ? I got absolutely 0 knowledge about this type of speaker. So any advice on which one to get ? By the way, is 1 speaker enough or do I need 2 ? Edit : I forgot to mention, I'm only playing at home, so I don't care how loud it can be. I just want an output that will be good at low volum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 FRFR monitors are great to us for that use. If it's ONLY at home you play, a set of studio monitors can really do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvroberts Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 If you don't want to use your stereo system, Ik Multimedia iloud could be a possibility. Any compact full range device will work - stereo is nice though........lots of lovely delay and reverb, chorus etc in stereo........ I'd probably avoid some of the wireless systems though, they seem to have too much latency for playing guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKenivel Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Studio monitors! Yamaha HS5s on my desk. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 JBL LSR305's here for studio monitors - A pair Studio Monitors is my recommendation to start as well, as they'll be useful for other functions as well (like mixing your recordings when you start doing that). (I have an L2t and L2m for playing out with the Helix, and I'm considering getting a DT50 amp as well just for fun) I know you didn't ask for this info, but there's are several free courses on Coursera.com for music production that'll teach you a lot about recording and even effects, andthey are fun... I took the precursor to this and thought it was a great course, but there's a bunch more now that weren't there before. https://www.coursera.org/learn/technology-of-music-production I forget which DAW (recording software) they used for their examples, but you can use whatever DAW you want. I used a DAW called Mixcraft (www.acoustica.com), which I ended up purchasing cause I liked it so much and it's really easy to use. Another DAW you might consider is Reaper. Both give you extended free trial periods. Have fun! Edit: Oh, that's too bad, the course was free when I took it. Look around, there may be other free courses available on Coursera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinnerman1978 Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Studio monitors! Yamaha HS5s on my desk. That's positive! I'm joining the Helix party and have bought a pair of HS5s - two questions: 1. do you recommend XLR or 1/4" to connect them? 2. do you go via an audio interface or directly from the Helix? Cheers, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradlake Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 1: either will sound fine, XLR will allow to use the 1/4outs for other purposes. 2: If you have an audio interface that you like, use it, it may increase the versatility of Helix with other gear but if not, Helix is a fairly capable interface for direct out and the USB ins/out can be very useful for reamping, routing to other processors,etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 That's positive! I'm joining the Helix party and have bought a pair of HS5s - two questions: 1. do you recommend XLR or 1/4" to connect them? 2. do you go via an audio interface or directly from the Helix? Cheers, Chris Personally I and several others have gotten rid of our external audio interfaces. The Helix is perfectly capable of providing what those units provide and it's much simpler to use in practce. For example I have my vocal mic permanently hooked up to the Helix and it has it's own dedicated patch. Same with Bass guitar and keyboard. So when I'm ready to record or rehearse any of those I just select the appropriate patch and it's ready to go. And I can do all of that just from the Helix Editor. It makes life very simple. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Make sure if you use 1/4 connectors, you use balanced TRS connector cables or you'll get unwanted noise. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Not trying to hijack the thread, honestly :) I bought a Matrix GT1000 and use it through my Marshall 1936. BUT I haven't tried it at stage volume yet, although it sounds nice in the bedroom Originally I was thinking of getting a Neolight 2x12 to save weight. But it isn't FRFR, and the Matrix FRFR's are heavy! I'm not convinced that IRs are essential, but it does mean you could run an out into the band PA, whereas using a cab I'd have to mic it up. So, are FRFRs really so much better? You might want to tell people what all that equipment is, how you are using it, and what you are expecting.... I had no idea a Matrix GT1000 (GT1000FX?) was an amp and a Marshall 1936 was a cab.... Whether or not an IR is essential is totally your call. Are FRFR's so much better than what? What's your preset look like?, what are your expectations? Are you a dyed in the wool amp in the room guy.... or do you want to hear what is going to be coming out of the PA if you go direct? Nobody can really answer this question for you, it's all opinion and how people use them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehyunkel Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 Thanks guys for the advices. I'll definitely try that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 My bad, Helix doesn't have balanced 1/4 outputs (my Focusrite 6i6 does). So TS is all you need for 1/4. Might hear some hiss as a consequence if you use 1/4 in, so XLR may work out better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehyunkel Posted May 31, 2017 Author Share Posted May 31, 2017 I just have another question. Has anyone tried the Helix s/pdif output to something like a homecinema amp ? Would that be as good as direct out to monitoring speakers ? Or would it colour the sound too much ? If it matters I have a Denon amp connected to Focal chorus speakers so I'm starting to think it could be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 I just have another question. Has anyone tried the Helix s/pdif output to something like a homecinema amp ? Would that be as good as direct out to monitoring speakers ? Or would it colour the sound too much ? If it matters I have a Denon amp connected to Focal chorus speakers so I'm starting to think it could be interesting I suppose it doesn't hurt to try, but generally speaking consumer home speakers aren't terribly flat in their response, and they're intentionally that way. Most often they're more bass heavy to make sure you get the "feel" of that explosion when watching an action movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soblivion Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 I just have another question. Has anyone tried the Helix s/pdif output to something like a homecinema amp ? Would that be as good as direct out to monitoring speakers ? Or would it colour the sound too much ? If it matters I have a Denon amp connected to Focal chorus speakers so I'm starting to think it could be interesting Often times I'll leave my FRFR powered monitor in the band trailer or at the practice space so I'll use my "hi fi" stereo as my monitors when practicing at home. It definitely colors the sound and is definitely not optimal. I do tweak the sound using the global EQ and it helps but ultimately I had to create patches for that specific use as patches created using a "hifi" speaker system DO NOT translate well to a true FRFR speaker. This has been my experience anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKenivel Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Home systems = not flat response Yamaha HS5 = no XLR out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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